The Judgment Within

  

With a little prompting Claude produced this:

"The Judgment Within"

"I awoke to the sound of rain pattering against the window. As I lay there listening, a familiar unease began to stir within me. "Another dreary day," I thought with a sigh. "How am I to keep up my spirits when the skies are so persistently gray?"

"But then I paused, reminded of the Stoic teaching that it is not external events themselves that disturb us, but rather our judgments about them. The rain itself was merely a natural occurrence, neither good nor bad in itself. It was my view of the rain as "dreary" that invited the seed of discontent to take root in my mind.

"I resolved then to drop that judgment, to simply accept the rain without the negative perception coloring it. As I did so, an inner shift occurred - the rain became mere rain again, nothing more. I could appreciate its soft rhythm and pause to consider how vital it is for nourishing the earth. My unease dissolved.

"Later, as I made my way through the day's tasks and inevitably encountered minor delays, frustrations, and obstacles, I strove to apply the same principle. Whenever I felt that flicker of annoyance or anger, I stopped to interrogate the judgment behind the feeling. "This is bad. This is unfair. This should not be happening." Each time, I worked to reframe it, to recognize that the events themselves were neutral - it was my resistance to them that created the emotional turmoil.

"When I blamed the world for my troubles, I remained at their mercy, buffeted by every perceived setback or misfortune. But to hold my judgments up to the light of reason was an emancipating act. I realized the extent to which I remained bound, not by circumstances, but by the values and assumptions I had accepted without inspection. To pause and divest myself of those harmful judgments was to taste a measure of freedom.

"The day's inevitable flux of pleasant and unpleasant events remained the same. But more and more, I stopped investing them with distress or delight. I simply met each moment as it arose, worked to align my judgments with the rational perspective, and could therefore greet all occurrences with equanimity. The impediments no longer imprisoned me, but became opportunities to reinforce the insight that my serene mind was impervious to the vagaries of fortune.

"As the Stoics taught, to blame others is the habit of the ignorant and untrained mind. To blame oneself shows the beginning of wisdom. But to abstain from blame entirely by ceasing to judge events as intrinsically good or bad - this is the mark of one whose education in the art of living has reached its culmination. With devotion to this path, I aim to advance along that journey each day, strengthening my command over the judgments that ultimately shape my life" -- Claude.

Discipline of Assent

[Discipline of Assent]
By Grant C. Sterling

"I receive impressions. For the moment, let [us] take
these as being out of our control. Those impressions are
cognitive, propositional--they are not uninterpreted raw data,
but rather ideas that claim that the world is a certain way.
I do not see a collection of colors and 1nent. ntSuppose that I
remember having left my backpack on the floor when I left--
I might now have the impression "my backpack is on my chair,
which means someone has intruded on my office, which is a very
bad thing!



"As I said, for the time being we are assuming that
these impressions are not in our control. But what. _is_ in our
control is how we react to them. We can assent, or not assent.
That is, we can accept that a given impression is _true_, or
reject it as unproven or false. (Rejecting it as false involves
both refusing to assent to the impression AND formulating a
new idea (the opposite of the impression) and assenting to
that.) A few minutes ago, I assented to the impression that
my backpack was on the chair. I didn't have to, but I did.
The process of assenting is cognitive (it's something
that happens in the conscious mind), but is very seldom
explicit. By that I mean that, for example, although I assented
to the impression that my backpack was on the chair, at no time
did I formulate the explicit mental thought "It seems to me that
my backpack is on the chair. Should I asse
nt to that impression?
yes, I think I will." My acceptance of the impression was so
simple and momentary that it seems as though things just passed
directly from impression to belief. But that isn't the way it works.
(Imagine a scenario where my backpack being there would be very
unexpected, and you can see how it would be possible for me to
question what my senses seem to be saying. I _could_ question them
even now (and really committed skeptics about the senses might be
able to do this in ordinary cases), I just don't.)


"If I refuse to assent to an impression, nothing happens.
No emotion, no action, nothing.
If I assent to an impression with a value component, then
a desire will result. I will desire that the "good" thing happen,
or desire that the "bad" thing not happen. If the impression says
that this outcome has _already_ occurred, then a emotion will result
(in the example above, the likely emotions are anger or fear):
positive feelings of mental enjoyment if the impression was that
something good had happened, negative feelings if it was "bad".
"Further, this may lead to another impression, assenting to
which will lead me to some course of action. For example, I might have
the further thought "It would be good for me to go find out who
has been in my office", and if I assent to this further idea then
I will stalk angrily down the hall to demand an explanation.

"All of this sounds complicated, but it boils down to this:
_everything_ on the Stoic view comes down to assent to impressions.
Choosing whether or not to assent to impressions is the only thing
in our control...and yet, everything critical to leading the best
possible life is contained in that one act. All our desires, all
our emotions, all our actions are tied to assenting to impressions.
If I get my assents right, then I have guaranteed eudaimonia. If
I get one wrong, I cannot have eudaimon ia" (Grant C. Sterling).


"One final thing. I said above that we would assume that
the original impressions are not in our control. Directly, that's
true. But indirectly, it isn't, for two reasons:

a) Our impressions are closely connected to our character.
If you reject an impression, then it makes that same type of
impression less common and weaker. If you assent to it, it becomes
more common and stronger. If it seems to me that it would be good to
punch someone in the nose for insulting me, and I assent, then it
becomes more likely that the next time something annoys me it will
seem to me that I should lash out at someone, and that 'seeming' will
be more compelling. If I refuse to assent, if I tell myself "hitting
them won't solve my problems", then I will have fewer "I should punch
someone" impressions, and they will be weaker (more easily resisted).
So, in this way, by being careful with our acts of assent (which are
in our control), the impressions that we receive will be altered over
time. This is a long process, but is critical for the Stoics--this
is building a virtuous character. The Sage is simply someone who has
controlled their assents so carefully for such a long period of time
that they no longer receive the false value impressions (that externals
are good or bad) in the first place.

b) While our impressions are not in our control, we do have
the ability (suggested in above examples) to formulate new ideas.
I receive the impression "Someone has been in my office--that's a
very bad thing." If I manage to refuse assent to this impression,
I can choose to formulate an alternative impression--"it seems
that someone has been in my office, but that is neither good nor
bad." This proposition I can correctly assent to. I receive the
impression "I should punch this guy in the nose". If I reject
it, I can formulate some alternative idea. One of my favorite passages
in Epictetus is where he says that if you hear that someone has been
criticizing you, don't try to defend yourself, but instead say
"Obviously he doesn't know my other faults, or he wouldn't have
mentioned these." I wonder how much gossip and how many feuds would
have been prevented if people reacted like that.



"So what we should be striving for is:
a) Don't assent to impressions that depict externals as
either good or evil.
b) If we fail 'a', don't assent to subsequent impressions
that depict immoral responses to the good or bad thing as being
appropriate.
c) Consciously formulate true propositions regarding the
lack of value of external things. As far as possible, do this in
advance. Remind yourself that your own life and health are neither
good nor evil, as are the lives and health of those around you.
The same for your job, etc. Whether or not you have done so in advance,
try to do so at the time. "I have pictures here of your wife having
sex with another man." Remind yourself: 'my wife's actions are not
in my control. They are neither good nor evil. My happiness is in
my control, not enslaved to the actions of others.'
d) Consciously formulate true action propositions. "I
should report truthfully to my boss regarding the sales numbers
from the last quarter: truth telling is virtuous, and I have a
duty to act faithfully at work. If my boss fires me, I should
remember that my job is an external, neither good not evil."
By paying attention to preferred and dispreferred indifferents,
and to the duties connected with my various roles in life, I can
recognize what it would actually be correct for me to do in
each situation. Bring this consciously to mind, and assent to
it.
e) When you do act correctly, assent to the proposition
that you have done a good thing--then you will experience Joy
(or at least proto-Joy.)
f) Over time, my character will change such that I
no longer have the false value impressions in 'a' and 'b',
and 'c' and 'd' and 'e' become routine. This is eudaimonia--
good feelings combined with virtuous actions" (Grant Sterling, 2018).

*****


With a little prompting Claude produced this:

"The Discipline of Assent: A Stoic's Inner Dialogue"


"Here's a story in the Stoic internal narrative style, depicting the narrator's process of working with an impression using the discipline of assent:


"I sit at my desk, engrossed in my work, when suddenly my phone buzzes. An impression forms: "A text message. It could be urgent news." I pause, recognizing this as an impression claiming the world is a certain way.

"I feel a pull to check the message immediately, but I remind myself that this impulse is not in my control. What is in my control, however, is how I react to it. I have a choice: to assent or not assent to this impression.

"The thought flashes through my mind: "It's crucial to check this message right away. What if it's an emergency?" I notice the value judgment embedded in this impression – that an immediate response is "crucial" and that potential emergencies are to be feared.

"I formulate an alternative proposition: "A message has arrived. Its content is neither inherently good nor bad. My peace of mind does not depend on external communications."

"As I consider this new proposition, I feel the urgency subside. I remind myself that true emergencies are rare, and that my ability to respond virtuously to any situation is what truly matters, not the content of a text message.

"I then formulate an action proposition: "I will finish the task at hand, as it aligns with my duty to be productive and focused. Once complete, I will check the message and respond appropriately if needed."

"Having consciously examined the initial impression and formulated a more aligned response, I assent to this new course of action. A sense of calm settles over me as I return to my work, knowing I've exercised control over my judgments and choices.

"In this moment, I also assent to the idea that I've acted virtuously by not allowing an external event to disrupt my tranquility. A subtle feeling of joy arises, reinforcing this positive behavior.

"I recognize that through this practice, repeated over time, I am gradually shaping my character. Each time I refuse to assent to impressions that falsely attribute value to externals, I weaken their hold on me. And with each conscious formulation of virtuous alternatives, I strengthen my ability to maintain inner peace regardless of external circumstances" -- Claude.

Maintaining Inner Peace in Turbulent Waters

 

With a little prompting Claude prodiced this:


"Maintaining Inner Peace in Turbulent Waters"

.
"It was Sunday morning, and Marcus woke up looking forward to his usual trip to the public baths. However, before leaving home, he paused to prepare his mind using the Stoic principles he had been practicing.

""I am going to the baths to cleanse my body," he told himself. "But my higher purpose is to cleanse my mind and keep it in harmony with nature's law. At the baths, there will be those who splash me with water, jostle into me carelessly, and perhaps even insult or try to provoke me. I must expect and accept these disturbances calmly."

"With this mindset, Marcus set out for the baths. Sure enough, when he arrived, it was a typically chaotic scene. The bathing area was packed and noisy, with people shouting and shoving. As Marcus entered the water, a rowdy group nearby immediately splashed him aggressively. He felt himself tense up with annoyance, but then consciously relaxed, taking a deep breath. "This is to be expected," he reminded himself, "do not react and lose your calm state."

"A little later, as he was trying to enjoy the warm waters, a bather shoved past him roughly without a word of excuse. Marcus noticed the flare of anger, but immediately cooled it, saying internally "They are oblivious, but I choose to not make myself miserable by craving their consideration."

"Throughout his time at the baths, Marcus worked persistently to maintain his equanimity and practice the Stoic disciplines of desire, action and assent. Whenever he noticed himself getting perturbed by rude behavior or adverse conditions, he gently let go of judgments and external frustrations to regain his centered presence. 

"My purpose here is not merely bathing," he affirmed, "but principally the purification of judgments to attain tranquility - to have desires attending only to what is presently possible, and actions conforming to nature."

"By sustaining this mindful presence through all the commotion and tribulations at the baths, Marcus was able to emerge feeling refreshed in both body and mind. He had met the challenge of unruly external circumstances by maintaining perfect equanimity and dwelling securely in his own reasoned self - undisturbed, imperturbable, and utterly free. It was a small but satisfying victory for living life in accordance with philosophy" -- Claude.

The Art of Detachment

With a little prompting Claude produced this:

"The Art of Detachment"


"I picked up the ceramic jug and felt its cool smooth surface. A prized possession, this jug brought me great pleasure to behold and use. Yet as I cradled it in my hands, I reminded myself "This is just a jug. An inanimate object, impermanent and fragile." I visualized it shattering into pieces on the hard floor. At that moment, it lost its luster in my mind's eye. I saw it simply as shaped clay, devoid of any greater significance beyond its utility.

"My young son came toddling over, giggling. I scooped him up and he planted a wet kiss on my cheek. How I cherished this little human! Yet I reminded myself "He is a man, mortal and impermanent like all beings." I pictured his tiny body, cold and lifeless. The thought chilled me, but also detached me from clinging to him or taking his presence for granted.

"Later, as I bid farewell to my wife before work, I looked upon her lovely face. I felt a pang of ardent affection. Then I thought "She is human, just a temporary amalgam of atoms, no more permanent than a flickering flame." I imagined her gone from my life and the pang turned bittersweet. My attachment loosened, replaced by an upwelling of appreciation for our fleeting shared moments.

"On my commute, I was cut off by an aggressive driver. Rather than growing angry, I thought "This situation too is impermanent and outside my control." My frustration deflated almost instantly. At work, a situation arose that seemed unfortunate. But I reassessed it as merely the natural unfolding of an inherently chaotic world, nothing to revolt against.

"With practice, I learned to perceive reality at its essence in this way. I rarely reacted rashly, but met all circumstances with calm equanimity. My thoughts remained even, unburdened by cravings or aversions. Impermanence became not a curse but a blessing, as I saw all as unfolding exactly as nature demanded without resistance or attachment. I felt liberated to simply appreciate each experience, bypassing useless negative judgments or fixations. Life flowed smoothly, without clinging to any snatching grasp of satisfactions or dreads. I existed at balance, serene in acceptance of reality's constant flux" -- Claude.

The Path to Inner Peace: Desires, Aversions, and Virtuous Living

With a little prompting Claude produced this:

"The Path to Inner Peace: Desires, Aversions, and Virtuous Living."  

"I must remain mindful of the true sources of happiness and misfortune. Attaining the objects of my desires does not guarantee happiness, nor does avoiding the things I currently have an aversion to lead to a life free from misfortune. True peace comes from desire and aversion focused on what is within my control.

"If I avoid only those things that are unnatural and under my direct power, I can live without falling into misfortune. But desiring or fearing externals like health, wealth, or even life itself is a path to certain unhappiness. These things lie beyond my control, so I must let go of craving or revulsion toward them.

"For now, I will remove desire entirely from my mind. Wanting what I cannot have will only breed disappointment. There is nothing truly excellent currently within my grasp that I should even wish for. I will be content with this present moment and state of being.

"When I must make choices, I will do so calmly and dispassionately, without lapsing into fevered grasping or aversion. I will choose or turn away with a light mind, unattached to outcomes. Desire and fear distort our reason - I will be watchful against their pull.

"My true good lies in living with virtue, acting rightly with a will in accord with nature. External events cannot make me broken - only my own judgments about them can disturb my peace of mind. I will aim to desire only what aligns with wisdom, justice, courage, and moderation. With right judgment, I cannot be unduly shaken by circumstance" -- Claude.

Embracing the Dichotomy of Control

 

With a little prompting Claude produced this:

"Embracing the Dichotomy of Control"

"I woke up this morning with a feeling of unease stirring within me. As my mind became more awake, I realized the source of my discomfort was worries about things outside my control - my reputation at work, the judgment of others, future uncertainties. I could feel the tendrils of anxiety wrapping around my heart.

"But then I paused and centered myself, calling to mind the timeless Stoic principles. There are things which are under my control, I reminded myself, and things which are not. My reputation, the opinions of others, future events - those are not my own. They belong to the realm of the external, the uncontrollable. To bend my will and inner peace trying to control such things is to make myself a slave to forces I cannot command. 

"No, I must turn my efforts inward, to the things which are my own - my judgments, actions, desires, aversions. This is the unhindered space of freedom available to me in each moment if I can remain rooted in reason. When I try to control what is not mine to control, I will only breed frustration and suffering. But when I relinquish that foolish struggle, letting go of what was never in my power, then I am liberated.

"My bodily health, possessions, societal status - these are called externals for good reason. They are winds that blow one way and then another according to larger forces. To think they are reliably mine is to be deluded. If I attach my inner peace to their ephemeral state, I make myself a helpless leaf in the storm.

"But my mind, aha! Here is something that is purely my own domain to exercise mastery over. My thoughts, beliefs, intentions - these are the realms of my kingship, if I can remain vigilant in guarding them from being abducted by appearances and mistaken to be realities. When I view impressions through the lens of reason, I retain perfect command of my own impregnable inner citadel. 

"So as the day stretches before me, I vow to apply this intensely to each arising impression from the [rational] universe. When an appearance arises that seems disagreeable, I will not naively accept it at face value, but interrogate it: Is this something under my control to opine about, or not? If not, I will refuse to spend my precious energy on it, declining to make it my own. I will be free" -- Claude.